Former Pioneer Hotel ready to step into modern age

Published: Saturday, December 17, 2005

CHRIS VAN WAGENENA-J BUSINESS EDITOR

From a rooftop cabana area with connecting decks to a ground floor courtyard splashed in green, the former Pioneer Retirement Hotel in downtown Lubbock will look anything but its age when a major renovation is complete.

McDougal Cos., which will share what it has in store for the 89-year-old building in a presentation Tuesday to its realty staff, said it's ready to move into the construction phase of the project.

"We're ready to go," said Mike McDougal, president of McDougal Cos. Ltd., which plans to spend more than $6 million to renovate the 11-story structure that the company acquired in May.

McDougal has completed an asbestos abatement program and will push ahead on the construction of an exterior elevator that will provide access to 30 yet-to-be-built luxury condominiums on the third through 11th floors.

The Lubbock engineering/architectural firm of Parkhill, Smith & Cooper sought the input of two focus groups in September before finalizing its floor plans for the McDougal project. The plans include restoring the hotel's glorious ballrooms to their original state.

"Much of what you'll see (when it's completed) was based on the feedback we got from them," McDougal said, alluding to a heavily landscaped ground-floor courtyard that will be gated and require the closing of an alley separating the Pioneer from the NTS building.

"That's something they came up with, and it just makes sense," he said.

McDougal said the company plans to build a cabana area on the roof, along with two huge viewing decks.

"We think this is going to be a great amenity. The roof can be used to host parties both indoors and out, and you get some great views of North and South Lubbock," he said.

McDougal said many of the 30 condos will be custom-built, including plans for a study/library area that can be converted into a formal dining room.

In addition to its condominiums, McDougal plans to construct a three-story parking garage north of the property that will make use of a skywalk to connect the two structures.

"But the first actual construction people will see is on the outside of the building when we begin installing the elevator in January," he said.

McDougal said work on the Pioneer building itself will be completed long before the garage is finished.

"Frankly, the opening (of the Pioneer) is driven by the garage. That's going to take us about 12 to 15 months, but we should be getting started on it in the first quarter of 2006," he said.

The Pioneer Hotel, located at Broadway and Avenue K, was built in 1926 as a community-funded project that was in response at that time to a city housing boom. It was used to host celebrations, civic functions and other major events.